The ISFD Poverty Alleviation Forum held on the sidelines of the IsDB Group Annual Meetings was addressed by HRH Prince Turki AL Faisal, the Founder of the King Faisal Foundation, Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser IsDB Group Chairman, Mr. Luky Eko Wuryanto VP and CAO, AIIB, and ISFD, DG Dr. Hiba Ahmed. The speakers highlighted the crucial role played by civil society organizations (CSOs) in reducing poverty and promoting socioeconomic development, especially in countries facing numerous socioeconomic challenges.
Prince Turki Al Faisal, the Guest of Honor, thanked IsDB and ISFD for organizing the Forum and commended the role of CSOs in promoting socioeconomic development and combating poverty, which are in line with the Islamic values of serving humanity. He also praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s generous support to poor countries and communities in cooperation with regional and international organizations. Prince Al Faisal highlighted the efforts of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) and its noble goals.
IsDB Group Chairman Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser commended the achievements of civil society organizations in member countries in designing and implementing innovative programs to support poverty alleviation, despite facing the most challenging circumstances. He emphasized that addressing the challenges of poverty requires the consolidated and coordinated efforts of all development actors, including governments, the private sector, civil society, and donors.
Innovative programs like the NGO Empowerment for Poverty Reduction Program, launched by IsDB and its poverty alleviation arm, the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development, comprehensively contribute to lifting people out of poverty. The ISFD, DG Dr. Hiba Ahmed, said that their focus is on comprehensive human capital development including education and health, community development, and economic empowerment to create sustainable jobs for women and youth in OIC member countries, especially the least developed ones. The role of CSOs in delivering development impact is critical, and they are committed to seeing them thrive.
Mr. Luky Eko Wuryanto VP and CAO, AIIB, addressed the meeting highlighting the crucial role of partnerships and cooperation amongst civil community organizations. He praised the IsDB and ISFD cooperation with MDBs and different international and regional organizations to reduce poverty and promote socioeconomic development.
During the event, the representative of the best performing CSOs was honored, and they participated in a panel discussion, sharing their successful experiences in various fields of human and social development in their countries. CSOs representatives included Nasser Diallo Clinic+O, Guinea, Maysoon Badi, Urban Development thinktank, Sudan, Aya Hrout, Youth Innovation Forum, Jordan, Maulen Akjmetov, Kunde Social, Kazakhstan, Mathias Apove, Blue Diamond Leadership Solutions, Burkina Faso, Nada Ghanem, Dooda Solutions, and Fathiyah Yousef, Fablab Foundation, Libya.
In conclusion, the ISFD Poverty Alleviation Forum highlighted the contribution of civil society organizations to reduce poverty and promote socioeconomic development, emphasizing the need for consolidated and coordinated efforts of all development actors. Innovative programs, partnerships, and cooperation among organizations are crucial to uplift people out of poverty.
